MoveWindow function (winuser.h)

Changes the position and dimensions of the specified window. For a top-level window, the position and dimensions are relative to the upper-left corner of the screen. For a child window, they are relative to the upper-left corner of the parent window’s client area.

Syntax

Parameters

A handle to the window.

The new position of the left side of the window.

The new position of the top of the window.

The new width of the window.

The new height of the window.

Indicates whether the window is to be repainted. If this parameter is TRUE, the window receives a message. If the parameter is FALSE, no repainting of any kind occurs. This applies to the client area, the nonclient area (including the title bar and scroll bars), and any part of the parent window uncovered as a result of moving a child window.

Return value

If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks

If the bRepaint parameter is TRUE, the system sends the WM_PAINT message to the window procedure immediately after moving the window (that is, the MoveWindow function calls the UpdateWindow function). If bRepaint is FALSE, the application must explicitly invalidate or redraw any parts of the window and parent window that need redrawing.

How to move desktop Windows without a mouse?

the parameters on my desktop have changed. my window for Outlook open outside the parameter.

You can use an old school keystroke technique to regain control of a window that is outside your current desktop.

1. Close all programs so that you can start with a clean desktop.
2. Open Outlook from the same way you always do (desktop shortcut, pinned from taskbar or start menu, etc)
3. Since it is Outlook, just leave it alone for a minute so it completes its startup Send/Receive actions.
4. Press ALT+ together, then release and press m. You are now in Move mode.
5. Press one of the four directional arrow keys (up, down, right, or left) repeatedly to move the Outlook application window back to the visible area of your desktop.
6. When you can see the Outlook application window again (or at least the top left section of the title bar), press to exit Move mode.

If you want to practice this method, open any program onto a blank clean desktop (e.g. Notepad) and start at step 4.

• «Have you tried turning it off and then on again?» — Roy from ‘The IT Crowd’ (Emmy award-winning British comedy)

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How to Move a Window That Is Off-Screen

Get lost windows back where they belong on PC or Mac

You launch an app or program, but it’s running off-screen, and you’re not sure how to retrieve it. However, you can move a window that’s off-screen in Windows 10 and macOS.

The instructions in this guide cover both Windows 10 and macOS computers.

Why Is the Window Off-Screen?

Typically, lost windows stem from removing a secondary display. For example, if you created a document on your main screen while searching the web on your second, the web browser remains positioned in that extended space even after you disconnect the secondary display.

How to Move a Window That’s Off-Screen in Windows 10

There are several ways to move a window that’s off-screen in Windows 10. Some involve using different keys on the keyboard, while others involved adjusting settings within Windows 10.

Find Windows Using Arrow and Shift Keys

This method uses the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to move off-screen windows.

Launch the program or app (if it’s not opened already).

Press the Shift key and right-click the active program or app icon located on the taskbar.

Select Move from the pop-up menu.

Press the left arrow or right arrow key until the program or app appears on the screen.

Find Windows Using Arrow and Windows Keys

A similar method swaps out the Shift key for the Windows key. It also relies on the snapping feature that snaps windows to the sides of your screen.

This second method moves the missing window to three specific locations: Snapped to the right, to the center, and snapped to the left.

Launch the program or app (if it’s not opened already).

Select the active app or program icon located on the taskbar to make it the current selection.

Press and hold the Windows key while pressing either the left arrow or right arrow key.

Find Windows Using Arrow Keys and Mouse

This version doesn’t use the Shift or Windows keys. Instead, the mouse cursor helps bring your lost windows back to the home screen.

Launch the program or app (if it’s not opened already).

Hover your mouse cursor over the active program or app located on the taskbar until a thumbnail appears.

Right-click on the thumbnail and select Move on the menu.

Move the mouse cursor—now switched to a four-arrow «move» symbol – to the middle of your screen.

Use the left arrow or right arrow key to move the missing window into the viewable area. You can also move your mouse while the missing window «sticks» to your pointer.

Press the Enter key.

Change Screen Resolution to Find a Lost Window

Changing your screen resolution can pull lost windows into the main screen. These windows remain stationary on your desktop despite their hidden presence. You basically “zoom the camera” out until the missing windows appear in the frame.

Right-click the desktop.

Select Display settings on the menu.

Select Display in the side panel and choose one of the resolutions in the Advanced scaling settings section to temporarily change the resolution until the program or app appears on the screen.

Using your mouse, move the program or app to the center of your screen.

Change the screen resolution back to its original setting.

Unhide Windows With the Desktop Toggle

This doesn’t require a series of steps. Simply press the Windows key+D. All programs and apps disappear the first time you type this combo. Do it again, and everything—including your missing windows—should reappear.

Use Cascade to Arrange Windows

This feature arranges all windows in a cascade, stacking the title bars like an old-school card catalog.

Right-click an empty space on the taskbar.

Select Cascade windows.

The open windows are rearranged into a cascade, including your missing windows.

How to Move a Window That Is Off-Screen in macOS

Like Windows, there are several ways to move a window in macOS to find the one you’re looking for. If you opened something and it’s showing off-screen, try these tips to make it reappear.

Change the Resolution

Your lost window doesn’t change its position. By altering the resolution, you’re «zoom the camera» out until the missing window appears in the frame.

Click the Apple icon located in the top left corner and select System Preferences.

Click Displays.

Click the radio button next to Scaled in the Display tab and choose a different resolution.

Click OK to confirm.

Force a Relaunch

Forcing an app or program to relaunch on a Mac could bring the window back into view so you can access it again.

Click the Apple icon located in the top left corner.

Select Force Quit.

Choose the off-screen application from the list and click Relaunch.

Use Window Zoom to Make a Window Appear

Unlike changing the resolution, this version zooms the app or program until it appears on your screen. Once it emerges, drag it fully onto your display.

Click the active program or app shown on the Dock.

Click Window in the Apple menu bar and select Zoom in the drop-down menu.

Center the Window to Make It Visible

This is a simple, neat trick using your Mac’s Option key.

If the off-screen app or program isn’t actively selected, click its icon on the Dock.

Hold down the Option key and click the active app or program icon again. This hides the app or program.

Release the Option key and click the active app or program icon for a third time. The window reappears centered on your screen.

Move a Window with the Keyboard in Windows 7/8/10

Comes in handy once in a blue moon

So for those of you who do not like to use a mouse, it would be pretty cool if you could move a window using just the keyboard in Windows 7 right? Well, there are a couple of ways to do this and even though you may not need to do it very often, it does come in handy on the rare occasion!

In this article, I’ll tell you how to move a window in small increments to the exact position you want, how to snap a window to the left or right and how to move a window between monitors on a multi-monitor setup, all by just using the keyboard!

Method 1 – Incremental Move

For exact positioning, you first need to click on the window. Now this is obviously going to only work for windows that are not fully maximized. If it’s fully maximized, there is really nowhere to move the window.

Step 1: Either click on the window or if you want to use the keyboard, press ALT+TAB and make the window you want to move active.

Step 2: Now go ahead and press ALT+SPACEBAR and you’ll see a small menu appear in the window.

Step 3: Now press M, which will basically choose the Move option in the menu.

Step 4: Now use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the window to the new position that you desire.

Step 5: Press the Enter key to get out of the move mode. Also, if you want to have the window go back to the original position before you started the move, press the Esc key instead.

Method 2 – Windows Snap

Windows has a nifty feature that lets you snap windows to the left-hand or right-hand side of the screen. If you drag a window to the right or left, it will automatically resize and snap to the side.

To do this using the keyboard, press the Windows Key + the right or left arrow. Make sure to hold down the Windows key while pressing the left and right arrow keys. It’s actually pretty neat and much faster than dragging the window around the screen.

Method 3 – Multi-Monitor Setups

Lastly, for moving between multiple monitors, all you have to do is add SHIFT to the above key combo, so it would simply be Windows Key + Shift + right or left arrow.

For the power users who really want to control their windows, moving may not be enough. So here’s a few other shortcuts that could come in handy if you are left with nothing but a keyboard and Windows:

End – Will display the bottom of the active window (in case you need to scroll using the keyboard)

Home – Will display the top of the active window

F11 – Will either maximize or minimize the active window

Ctrl + Tab – If you have a window with tabs, then this will move you forward through the tabs

Ctrl + Shift + Tab – Will move you back through the tabs

Windows Key + Shift + Up Arrow – This will stretch a window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem’s Full Bio